Something Different

Something Different with John and Sarah

John McGuirk and Sarah Ryan bring you incisive commentary on Irish politics, culture, and life - every Friday.

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Author

Something Different

Category

Government

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Oct 23, 2026

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Episodes

E23: Grabby Grannies and Tusla Scandals 23.10.2026

www.johnandsarah.ie This week: We talk about THAT ad, a story John broke on Wednesday. Also, the Tusla Scandal that should bring down the Government. The Triple Lock unlocked. Sinn Fein Charity woes. And Fine Gael at War.00:00 - Opening the week’s big stories and the “don’t hug your granny” backlash 02:49 - Why the consent ad used grandparents and why that annoyed so many people 04:54 - The “famil...

E22: Has the Irish State lost Control? 16.10.2026

www.johnandsarah.ie Strikes shut down the country; Drug gangs burn children alive; Ministers are hospitalised, and the Dáil debates.... Non Binary Rights? In this episode we ask a simple question: Has the state lost control? 00:00 - Opening thanks 02:15 - Strike disruption at home, school, and court 04:47 - Why the public sector strike feels bigger than a pay dispute 10:35 - Free school books, lun...

E21: Paving the Path to Hell 09.10.2026

www.johnandsarah.ie With John away following the death of his father, Sarah is joined by her husband Keith Redmond for a lively discussion of Ireland's miserable budget, the rising cost of employing people, the political capture of our institutions, and why The Guardian thinks exercise turns you right-wing. 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 00:42 Analysis of the Irish budget and its impa...

E20: We're Emergency Ready 02.10.2026

www.johnandsarah.ie This week: Spiders Terrorise Malahide Woman; Emergency booklets from Helen McEntee; Tusla disaster courtesy of Norma Foley; and Garvaghy Road madness courtesy of... Sinn Fein? The Sports Journos go Feral; and an American Woman is killed twice, but lives..... 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap 00.20 Spider Season 04:21 Discussion of the 'Be Emergency Ready' Book 08:12 G...

E19: Ireland's kids hate it here 25.09.2026

www.johnandsarah.ieThis week: Ireland's young people hate life in Ireland, objecting to housing shortages, joblessness, and lots more. We discuss in depth. Also: Ebun Joseph fixes your school; Nick Delehanty closes his business; Holly Cairns gets maternity leave for some reason, and have you heard about the Lesbians in America?00:00 - Episode intro and the week’s big topics02:07 - Why so many...

E18: The Dublin Housing List Numbers 18.09.2026

Sarah's Boob Article: https://www.johnandsarah.ie/p/sarah-ryan-feminists-are-making-tits This week: The Scandalous Dublin Housing numbers and what to do about them. Also: Trump visits, Ed Sheeran gets cancelled, an athlete poops her pants, and lots of Sydney Sweeney chat. 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Listener comment about economics versus wider social issues 02:56 - Why Trump’s Ireland visit landed...

E16: Immigration Dominates the News 11.09.2026

www.johnandsarah.ie This week, Sinn Fein announced a major U-turn on immigration - but is it real? The AfD shocked Germany. Jack Chambers was compared to Margaret Thatcher. And Trump comes to Ireland on 9/11's 25th anniversary. It's a busy week! 00:00 Introduction 02:12 Germany's AFD victory 05:01 Irish Reactions to Germany's Election Results 07:15 Sinn Fein's Shift on Migratio...

E16: Breastfeeding Men and Booby Women 04.09.2026

www.johnandsarah.ieCheck out our poll, below! In this weeks episode: Boobs. Some men want to use theirs to breastfeed, and Sarah is disgusted. Advertisers want boobs back in fashion. And to round it off: Are Government making a tit of the economy? 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 01:52 Support and Future Plans for the Podcast 03:57 Controversy Over Men Breastfeeding Conference 06:49 The Sex...

E15: The Terrifying New Immigration Numbers 28.08.2026

https://www.johnandsarah.ie/p/the-new-cso-immigration-figures-areThis week, the CSO released new numbers showcasing the extraordinary scale of Irish immigration over the past six years. We discuss how these impact every policy area, and how it might be solved. Also: More Lindsay Clancy, Fuel Prices rising, CAO chaos, and Dolly Parton RIP.(01:02) Sarah’s Greece story and meeting listeners in public...

E14: It's Time to Talk about Travellers 21.08.2026

www.johnandsarah.ie This week John and Sarah ask: Why can't we talk openly about traveller culture and how most people experience it? Also, GurrierGate latest, John Kelly's tweets, the UK migrant leaflet, and Lindsay Clancy drives American women mad. 00:00 Introduction 02:58 GurrierGate controversy 05:07 Ireland's crime issues and Traveller Culture 17:34 Proposed new laws and enforceme...

E13: Joy Riders and Ebun Joseph 16.08.2026

www.johnandsarah.ie As more lives are lost and Gardai seem powerless to intercept joy-riders, John and Sarah ask: Is Ireland lawless? Also, Ebun Joseph's war on the Irish Language, Alison Chawke's good fortune, Jason Arday's Death, and political inaction on Friedreich's Ataxia.00:00 Introduction and episode overview 00:15 Holiday reflections and work-life balance 01:38 Ireland's youth crime and po...

E12: Feckin' Greeks 14.08.2026

Sadly this week's podcast is delayed until Sunday because of Greek connectivity issues, but in Sarah's absence - she's off tradwifing - John provides some brief updates on the big issues of the day - HSE reticence on Friedreich's Ataxia; more accusations of Irish antisemitism, and of course, Tradwives and Jason Arday.

Ep 11: The Invasion of Spain 07.08.2026

"It's our border, too" - this week John and Sarah discuss the invasion of Ceuta, and the consequences for Europe. Also: UK is to block the puberty of 270 kids, Noel Grealish went to right-wing Davos, and John cheated at The Sopranos. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Topics 02:09 The Invasion of Ceuta and Its Impact 04:30 Legal and Political Aspects of Migration 07:31 Law Changes an...

Episode 10: Simon Harris's Fake Tax Cut 31.07.2026

This week John and Sarah dive into Fine Gael's proposed 8 euro a week tax cut, and how the Government will claw it all back. Also: Fauci pleads the fifth, The IRA returns, German terrorism, Norwegian murders, and a massively expensive Metro. 00:00 Introduction to Ireland's Current Political and Security Climate 02:20 Irish Political Parties and Their Evolving Values 04:03 Security Threats:...

Episode 9: The Media's UCD R*pe Disgrace 24.07.2026

This Week, John and Sarah dive in detail into the UCD R*pe case, how it was covered, and what the media didn't want to see. Also: A lively row about the Irish language; Why do women police women; and the latest on Sarah's crusade against Government's Legal Aid reform. 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:09 The Irish media's handling of the UCD rape case 06:03 Court facts ver...

Episode 8: Busy Fools 17.07.2026

This week, Anne Widdecombe died, Ireland faced drought (per the media), the Chalk kids went to jail, Politicians went on holiday, and reading nearly died. Join John and Sarah as they talk it all out: 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:56 Water restrictions and infrastructure issues in Ireland 04:19 The real causes of water shortages: infrastructure and population growth 07:01 Irish governa...

Episode 7: Dangerously Naive: The Jamey Carney murder 10.07.2026

This week, brutal news from Killarney prompts yet another conversation about immigration amongst everyone bar Irish politicians. Also: Nigel versus a Bin, Russia's Aluminum, and general chitchat.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview02:36 Discussion on Immigration and Crime in Ireland07:00 Cultural Differences and Safety Concerns for Women12:07 Ireland's Embrace of Third World Narratives1...

Episode 6: Bouchaker, Boo Labour, and Bootlicking 03.07.2026

"Bouchaker is everything they told us never happens" says an angry John this week as he and Sarah dive into the verdict in that case. Also: Helen Ogbu's troubles, Pico Lopes as one of us, and Micheál Martin's ascension to global leadership. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Riyad Bushaker Trial and Verdict 15:01 Helen Ogbu Controversy and Political Implications 30:07 John's P...

Episode 5: Mass re-education 26.06.2026

In this week's episode, John and Sarah talk heatwave politics and the media's desperation for climate change panic. Also: Indoctrinating your kids via the leaving cert exams, egregious misinformation from the Irish Examiner, and why you should be on the side of lawyers this one time. Chapters00:00 Introduction and Weather Discussion01:55 Climate Change and the Green Party's Stance05:51...

Episode 4: Could Politicians use a three-day wait? 19.06.2026

This week, John and Sarah tackle the Dáil's legislation abolishing the three-day cooling off period for abortions; the renewed campaign to call the national flag racist; Minister Patrick O'Donovan becoming the decider, and the continued fallout from one of the worst criminal cases in recent memory. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:13 Abortion Legislation Changes in Ireland 17:55 Cultural...

Episode 3: The Media's Nightmare in Belfast 12.06.2026

This week, John and Sarah walk through the horrific events in Belfast, and the media and establishment instinct to cover it all up. Import the culture, import the consequences? Also: The Government's Maternity mess, the awfulness of men, John's faith in astrology, and happy birthday Helen McEntee! 00:00 Introduction to Current Events in Ireland 01:30 Reactions to Violence in Belfast 06:40...

Episode 2: The Climate of Fear 05.06.2026

This week John and Sarah delve into high profile recent crime cases in the UK and Ireland - asking whether a culture of fear in the public sector results in outcomes like the Henry Nowak case or the relative silence in Ireland around Alex Coughlan. Also: Sinn Fein's poll slump, Bonnie Blue's sex stunt, RTE's continued troubles, and Enoch Burke's prison of conscience.

As we were saying.... 29.05.2026

As they re-enter the podcasting world after a significant break, John and Sarah dive into the pressing issues and personal narratives that have unfolded during their hiatus. This inaugural episode of Unchained brings to light recent political events, including the surprising outcomes of by-elections, fuel protests, and John's resignation from Gript Media, providing listeners with a comprehensive o...

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